Mid August 2019

August 20th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Grey Heron, 8 Spoonbill, 142 Avocet, 84 Lapwing, 229 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 11 Dunlin, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 304 Redshank and 3 Snipe; and on Jackson's Marsh a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Turtle Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Hobby, a Peregrine, 2 Goldcrest, 106 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Whinchat, a Stonechat, a Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and 2 Yellowhammer. Birds moving south included a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Whimbrel, 426 Swift, 148 Sand Martin, 122 Swallow, 396 House Martin, a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Tree Pipit and a Tree Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 88 new birds: 55 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Blackcap, 3 Reed Warbler, 8 Robin, 9 Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 5 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

Whinchat, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
Spotted Flycatcher, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale
Yellow Wagtail, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
Mixed Hirundines, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound
August 19th. On Tennyson's Sands were 12 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier and 7 Spotted Redshank; and on Fenland Lagoon 12 Greenshank. Around the reserve were a Grey Heron, a Green Woodpecker, 81 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, 11 Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, a Tree Pipit and a Yellowhammer. Heading south were a Buzzard, 12 Swift, 14 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow, 9 Mistle Thrush and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 19 new birds: a Wren, 7 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Robin and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 3 Blackcap, a Wren, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

Juvenile Green Woodpecker, 19th August 2019
Photo - Vaughn Seabridge
Juvenile Green Woodpecker, 19th August 2019
Photo - Vaughn Seabridge
August 18th. An Osprey flew south through the reserve in the early afternoon. Birds around included 4 Gadwall, 18 Little Egret, 7 Spoonbill, a Whimbrel, 35000 Knot, 5030 Sanderling, 3620 Dunlin,  a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 3 Arctic Skua, 80 Sandwich Tern, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 40 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Whinchat, a Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 2 Kestrel, a Hobby, a Swift and 8 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 31 new birds: 17 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 3 Linnet, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Linnet.

Returning arctic breeding waders at roost, 18th August 2019.
Knot, juvenile, 18th August 2019.
Photo - Kev Wilson
Ringed Plover, chick, 18th August 2019.
Photo - Kev Wilson
August 17th. Soggy start, with gradually increasing south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 13 Shoveler, 149 Avocet, 92 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 270 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Common Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, a Wood Sandpiper, 309 Redshank, a Snipe and a Mediterranean Gull; and on Jackson's Marsh 9 Greenshank. Around were 4 Gadwall, 79 Teal, 42 Tufted Duck, 8 Little Egret, 15 Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 311 Sandwich Tern, a Stock Dove, 2 Short-eared Owl, 6 Kestrel, 40 Willow Warbler, a Treecreeper, 4 Whinchat, a Stonechat and 7 Yellow Wagtail.
 The eleventh session of CES was done this morning. The 30 new birds were 5 Wren, 8 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 7 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat. The 9 retraps were a Song Thrush, 2 Wren, 2 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat and a Blackbird.

Wood Sandpiper, 17th August 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward

Whinchat, 17th August 2109.
Photo- Ben Ward
Stonechat, 17th August 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
Brown Hare, 17th August 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
August 16th. Increasing southerly wind, with prolonged afternoon rain.
 Birds around included a Short-eared Owl. Going south were 2 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 6 Linnet and 3 Whitethroat; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, a Great Tit, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and 3 Whitethroat.

August 15th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Shoveler, 15 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 135 Avocet, 91 Lapwing, 257 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, 3 Wood Sandpiper, 60 Redshank and 3 Sandwich Tern. Around, including birds trapped, were 17 Gadwall, 71 Teal, 23 Tufted Duck (plus 5 chicks), 22 Little Egret, a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 35 Golden Plover, 72 Ringed Plover, 11 Common Sandpiper, 11 Greenshank, 576 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, 26 Common Tern, a Stock Dove,  a Short-eared Owl, 7 Kestrel, a Hobby, 11 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat, a Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail and 6 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 4 Common Scoter, a Ruff, 68 Commic Tern, a Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, a Hobby, 40 Swift, 31 Sand Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 3 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Linnet; and 4 retraps: a Wren, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.
 A staggering count of 45 Willow Emerald Damselfly was made on the reserve.

Emperor Dragonfly, male, 15th August 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward

Migrant Hawker, male above female below, 15th August 2019.
Photos - Ben Ward
August 14th. Birds around included 67 Greylag Goose, 266 Canada Goose, 6 Gadwall, 81 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 22 Tufted Duck, 9 Little Egret, a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 770 Golden Plover, 106 Lapwing, 286 Curlew, 341 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Turnstone, 2000 Knot, 1000 Sanderling, 1500 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, an Arctic Skua, 353 Sandwich Tern, 12 Common Tern, 3420 Black-headed Gull, a Peregrine, 4 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, 11 Yellow Wagtail and 106 Goldfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 134 Avocet, a Grey Plover, a Turnstone, 3 Knot, 47 Dunlin, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 78 Redshank, a Snipe and 3 Mediterranean Gull; and on Jackson's Marsh a Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel and 14 Dunlin. Flying south were 2 Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, 467 Sandwich Tern, 13 Common Tern and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 19 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 4 Robin, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Linnet, a Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit and 2 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, 2 Dunnock, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat, a Wren, a Blackcap and a Blue Tit.

Spoonbills, enduring heavy rain, 15th August 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound
Mediterranean Gulls, 14th August 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
August 13th. Occasional light showers through the day.
 A mobile Wood Warbler was in the East Dunes early morning. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 91 Avocet, 277 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 8 Dunlin, 3 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank and 89 Redshank. Around, including birds trapped, were a Brent Goose, 69 Teal, 3 Eider, 18 Little Egret, a Great White Egret, 13 Spoonbill, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 80 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 324 Curlew, 12000 Knot, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Snipe, 380 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Common Tern, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 140 Swallow, 114 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Wheatear, a Whinchat, 38 Yellow Wagtail, 53 Meadow Pipit, 135 Linnet and 142 Goldfinch. Going south were 3 Grey Heron, 25 Turnstone, an Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 42 Swift, 550 Swallow, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Tree Pipit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 36 new birds: 20 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Robin, a Reed Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Garden Warbler, a Meadow Pipit and a Blackcap; and 10 retraps: a Robin, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Wren.
 A Clouded Yellow was at the south end of the reserve.

Reed Warbler, 13th August 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
Juvenile Cuckoo, 13th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
Wheatear, 13th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
August 12th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 A juvenile Goshawk was briefly in the East Dunes early morning before flying west. Birds around included 55 Teal, a Great White Egret, 4 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 820 Sandwich Tern, 2 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 11 Kestrel, a Merlin, 77 Willow Warbler, a Redwing, a juvenile Stonechat, 10 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Grey Heron, 13 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 82 Avocet, 75 Lapwing, 311 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank and 57 Redshank. Heading south were 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Collared Dove, a Turtle Dove, a Cuckoo and 3 Tree Pipit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 28 new birds: 13 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Sedge Warbler, 9 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Robin, a Great Tit and a Whitethroat; and 10 retraps: 2 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Linnet, a Great Tit and a Blackcap.
 A Clouded Yellow drifted south down the East Dunes.

Goshawk, 12th August 2019.
Photo - Kev Wilson
Elephant Hawk-moth Caterpillar, 12th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
August 11th. Fairly strong south-westerly wind, with some afternoon rain.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Great Crested Grebe, 49 Avocet, 255 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 127 Redshank, 3 Knot, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Snipe and 2 Common Tern; and on Jackson's Marsh a Green Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper. Birds around included 13 Shelduck, 104 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 17 Little Egret, 9 Spoonbill, 4 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a Treecreeper, a Wheatear and 16 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Turnstone, 743 Knot, 65 Sanderling, 128 Dunlin, a Black Tern, a Hobby, many Swift and some Swallow.
 A superb 34 Willow Emerald Damselfly (15 male and 19 female) were counted on the reserve.

Willow Emerald Damselfly, female, 11th August 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward

Small Red-eyed Damselfly, male, 11th August 2019.
Photos - Ben Ward